Curtainbank Rotorua in desperate need of curtains

Curtainbank Rotorua trustees (from left) Judy Gregor, Heather McKechnie and Crystaline Bennett at their shelves. Photo/Shauni James

Curtainbank Rotorua is appealing to the community to donate curtains and help them fill up the bank's shelves.

Curtainbank Rotorua accept clean pre-loved curtains from the public, then measure, sort and file them before gifting them to families and the elderly that are in need of warmth and privacy for their homes.

They also organise for the curtains to be cleaned if needed, and are a charitable trust.

Curtainbank Rotorua trustee Judy Gregor says their season, depending on when it got cold, usually starts in April.

She says since this April they have done 39 house lots and 17 half house lots of curtains, and their volunteers have put in 365 hours.

"With these sorts of numbers we are now running desperately short of curtains."

Judy says they have had a few people affected by the flooding in Edgecumbe, as well as the usual run of homes in Rotorua.

"It's not even the shortest day yet and our shelves are pretty empty."

She says it is important for people to have good quality curtains, especially with thermal backing or lining, to help with insulation and keeping warmth in homes.

Curtainbank Rotorua are also in need of another sewing machinist who can either sew at their site or do a few hours of work at home, she says.

Judy says the people in Rotorua have been generous with donating curtains and they have been exceptionally grateful.

The Energy Efficiency Commission was established by the Labour Government in about 2008 and this led to the Healthy Homes initiative with Curtainbanks being set up all over the country.

Curtainbank Rotorua has established close relationships with the Western Heights Healthy Homes team, Best Drycleaners and Tendercare Laundry.

If you have curtains you are able to donate you can drop them off at Curtainbank Rotorua, the second building inside the Arawa Park Racecourse or there is a box in the Racecourse building.

For more information contact curtainbankrotorua@gmail.com.